This year the annual 5 X festival hosted an Art Party is curated by Ritesh Matlani at Beaumont Studios in Vancouver.
Ritesh is a Surrey-based Queer floral designer & filmmaker. Born and raised in the Middle East, of Indian heritage, he’s drawn to stories of how different cultures thrive in a foreign land upon enculturation. Queer mythology, gay identity, suppressed agony, South Asian diaspora and immigration are themes in his work.
As a floral designer his work is considered airy and whimsical, inspired by wild meadows and forests. He has become known to create floral installations for local businesses and events. He is active in the local independent film scene as a producer, actor, cinephile and a film festival community manager with a focus on queer & BIPOC representation. Ritesh works in film/tv production for his day job.
The Art Pary was a kick off the weekend block Party in the Vancouver suburb of Surrey. The Art installation at venue will remain up from June 12th – June 28th.